5 Unique halo-halo versions in the Philippines that you probably never heard about
As a Filipino, there’s no other beloved shaved ice dessert than halo-halo. It’s unique for its over-the-top ingredients, finished with shaved ice, leche flan, ube, and a little bit of that ice cream goodness. The dessert, from its origin, only has three ingredients. These include monggo, ice, and milk called mongo-ya. The dessert evolved as time passed by. Filipinos add more ingredients than we have today.
So, let’s look at five unique halo-halo versions in the Philippines that you probably never heard about:
Halo-halo with avocado | Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat
The Municipality of Esperanza is considered to be Halo-Halo Capital in SOCCSKSARGEN. Yearly they celebrate the festival featuring their giant Halo-halo created by locals. But what makes Esperanza unique is its avocado version since avocados are locally thriving in the town.
Knickerbocker | Zamboanga City
Knickerbocker became a type of halo-halo mainly composed of fresh fruits, mixed jellies, and condensed milk topped with strawberry ice cream. Along with its unique name, Knickerbocker is the healthier version of serving fresh fruits. This is why tourists and locals are visiting Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel and Restaurant which mainly sell Knickerbocker.
Pastillas | Pampanga
Pampanga being the Culinary Capital of the Philippines also shares their culture of this version. The pastillas version only has three ingredients —mashed kidney beans, cream corn, and carabao’s milk pastillas called ‘halaya.’ Although their versions are much simpler, the flavor and components of their dessert complement each other. Making you taste the simple home goodness of Pampanga’s dessert.
Spicy halo-halo | San Pablo, Laguna
This version of the dessert is compact with typical halo-halo ingredients but the added chili makes it more unusual. Although it’s intriguing to think how this could be possible, locals say that the dessert is still good despite the spicy kick. If you want to try this halo-halo, Ben’s Halo-halo is one to visit. They also serve salty summer halo-halo with ingredients composed of salted egg and caramel on top.
Halo-halo de Iloko | La Union
La Union’s version of the dessert is classified into three versions. Regular halo-halo is composed of a whopping 12 ingredients that are locally found in the province. The ginataan version that’s creamier and their fried halo-halo. This spin-off dessert uses sticky rice, sweetened saba, yema pandan, and ube which are wrapped in lumpia wrappers and deep-fried.
These versions and spin-offs of our loved halo-halo are one of the few must-try you shouldn’t miss. I know there are more to come, so if you know one. Let us know!
